Radio Shack Radar Detector XKKa User Guide

Owner’s Manual  
Stay Alert  
X•K•Ka Superwide Radar/  
Laser Detector  
Please read before using this equipment.  
Cat. No. 22-1679  
 
City/Highway Modes — let you minimize alerts when you are  
in areas that have false radar sources.  
FAST (False Alert Suppression Technology) — helps pre-  
vent false alarms caused by non-traffic radar sources.  
Auto Quiet — lets you set the radar detector to give you a full-  
volume alert for about 5 seconds, then reduce its alert to mini-  
mum volume.  
Dim/Dark Modes — let you dim the display for nighttime oper-  
ation, or have the radar detector go completely dark whenever  
it detects traffic radar signals.  
Your radar/laser detector includes the following items:  
• Power Cord  
• Windshield Bracket with Suction Cups  
• Hook and Loop Fastener  
We recommend you record your detector’s serial number here.  
The number is on the detector’s bottom panel.  
Serial Number: _________________________________  
Important: Some areas have laws regulating the use of radar  
detectors. Check with your local law enforcement agency  
about the laws in your area.  
One or more of the following patents apply: 4,315,261;  
5,146,227; 5,379,456. Other patents pending.  
3
 
CONTENTS  
A Quick Look . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5  
Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7  
Mounting Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7  
Hook-and-Loop Tape Mounting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8  
Windshield Mounting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9  
Connecting Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11  
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12  
Turning the Detector On and Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12  
Adjusting the Volume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12  
Muting Alerts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13  
Using Auto Quiet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13  
Selecting the City and Highway Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . 13  
Dimming the Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14  
Setting the VG-2 Option . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15  
Receiving and Identifying Alert Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . 15  
Using Stay Alert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20  
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21  
Replacing the Fuse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23  
4
 
A QUICK LOOK  
1
2
Power Jack — the power cable plugs in here.  
Rear Laser Detection Lens — receives incoming laser  
signals from the rear.  
3
4
Speaker — sounds distinct warnings.  
MUTE Button — press before a radar/laser signal is  
detected to reduce the level of audio alerts that sound  
when there is a signal. Press after a signal is detected to  
silence the alert, while still showing visual alerts to keep  
you informed.  
5
High Visibility Alphanumeric Display — provides dis-  
tinct visual confirmation of signals detected and signal  
strength, and indicates the selected operating modes.  
5
 
6
7
8
9
CITY Button — reduces false alerts typically encountered  
in urban driving areas.  
DARK Button — changes the display to dim or dark, and  
turns the VG-2 option on or off.  
PWR/VOL (Power/Volume) Control — turns the detector  
on and off and lets you adjust the volume.  
Bracket Release Button — lets you quickly remove the  
detector’s bracket.  
10 Front Laser Detection Lens — receives incoming laser  
signals from the front.  
11 Radar Detection Antenna — receives incoming radar  
signals.  
12 Mounting Bracket Slot — holds the windshield mounting  
bracket.  
6
 
INSTALLATION  
MOUNTING GUIDELINES  
Follow these guidelines when selecting a location.  
• Choose a location that does not block the driver’s view of  
the road.  
• Mount the detector in a level position with a clear view to  
both the front and rear.  
• The detector’s view of the road must not be blocked by any  
metal object.  
• Some vehicles have InstaClear or ElectriClear defogging  
windshields, which have metal coatings that block signals.  
General Motor’s APV vans have a solar shield that keeps  
the vehicle cooler during the summer, but also blocks sig-  
nals. A detector installed in a vehicle with any of these fea-  
tures will probably not detect a signal.  
• Since window tinting reduces the received strength of laser  
signals, you should not mount the detector behind any  
tinted glass.  
• Do not mount the detector where the driver or a passenger  
might hit it in a sudden stop or accident.  
Caution: Whichever mounting method you choose, place the  
detector out of view when you leave the vehicle. This keeps  
the detector out of sight of thieves and prevents exposing it to  
extremely high temperatures, which can temporarily impair  
performance.  
7
 
HOOK-AND-LOOP TAPE MOUNTING  
For some dashboards, the hook-and-loop tape included with  
your detector might be best for mounting. Follow these steps to  
use the hook-and-loop tape.  
1. Use a damp cloth to clean the bottom of the detector and  
the dashboard. Let both surfaces dry.  
Note: The tape’s adhesive might not stick to a surface  
treated with vinyl cleaner or protectant.  
2. Remove the tape’s backing and stick the tape to the bottom  
of the detector.  
Note: Do not place the hook-and-loop tape over the detec-  
tor’s serial number.  
Serial  
Number  
On a curved dashboard, cut the supplied strip in half and  
use one strip on each side of the bottom of the detector.  
3. Remove the backing from the other side of the tape and  
press the detector onto the dashboard.  
8
 
WINDSHIELD MOUNTING  
The supplied suction-cup windshield bracket lets you easily  
mount the detector on the windshield.  
Caution: Do not use the bracket in a vehicle that has a plastic  
coating on the windshield designed to protect passengers dur-  
ing an accident. If you use the bracket on this type of wind-  
shield, you might permanently mar the windshield’s surface.  
1. Align the groove in each suction  
cup with the slots in the wind-  
illus of suction cup  
shield bracket and slide the suc-  
installation in  
tion cups out until they lock into  
place.  
windshield bracket  
2. Clean the selected windshield  
area, position the bracket on the  
windshield, and press firmly on  
each suction cup to secure it in  
place.  
3. Slide the detector onto the base  
plate until it snaps into place.  
9
 
To level the detector, press the  
bracket release button to remove the  
detector from the bracket. Then bend  
the bracket.  
illus of bracket  
release button  
location  
10  
 
CONNECTING POWER  
Caution:  
• Use only the supplied power cord. If your power cord is lost  
or damaged, you can order a replacement cord from your  
local RadioShack store.  
• Before plugging the power cord’s cigarette-lighter plug into  
your vehicle’s cigarette-lighter socket, make sure the plug’s  
tip is screwed firmly onto the plug. See “Replacing the  
Fuse” on Page 23 for more information about the cigarette-  
lighter plug.  
• Unplug the power cord’s cigarette-lighter plug from your  
vehicle’s cigarette-lighter socket when you turn off the igni-  
tion. This prevents your vehicle’s battery from being drained  
if you leave the detector on when you turn off the ignition.  
Plug the supplied power cord’s barrel plug into the detector’s  
power jack. Then plug the cord’s cigarette-lighter plug into your  
vehicle’s cigarette-lighter socket.  
Note: If the detector does not operate when you turn it on,  
remove the cigarette-lighter plug from your vehicle’s socket  
and check the socket for ashes and other debris. Also check  
the fuse in the cigarette-lighter plug and your vehicle’s fuse  
block (see “Replacing the Fuse” on Page 23).  
11  
 
OPERATION  
TURNING THE DETECTOR ON AND OFF  
To turn on the detector, turn PWR/VOL clockwise.  
The detector sounds a distinctive alert and displays the indica-  
tors for each alert type as a self test, in this order:  
Alert Type  
Audible Alert  
Visual Alert  
X
Low steady  
X
9
K
High trill  
K
9
9
Ka  
Medium warble  
Low-high  
High-low  
None  
Ka  
Safety  
Laser  
VG-2  
SAFETY  
LASER  
HIGHWAY  
To turn off the detector, turn PWR/VOL counterclockwise.  
See “Receiving and Identifying Alert Signals” on Page 15 for  
more information about alerts.  
ADJUSTING THE VOLUME  
To increase the detector’s volume, turn PWR/VOL clockwise. To  
decrease the volume, turn PWR/VOL counterclockwise.  
12  
 
MUTING ALERTS  
While a radar, laser, or safety warning alert is sounding, you  
can press MUTE to temporarily silence the detector for the cur-  
rent alert and any new alert that it receives within 20 seconds.  
Visual alerts are not affected.  
USING AUTO QUIET  
Auto Quiet reduces the selected audio level to a clicking alert  
about 5 seconds after it detects a radar signal. The clicking  
alert sounds at the minimum level for any new signal received  
within 20 seconds. VG-2 or laser alerts are not affected.  
To turn on Auto Quiet, press MUTE when the detector is not  
sounding an alert. The detector displays AUTOthen QUIET.  
To turn off Auto Quiet, press MUTE when the detector is not  
sounding an alert.  
SELECTING THE CITY AND  
HIGHWAY MODES  
Your detector’s CITY and CITY 1 modes are designed to  
reduce annoying false alerts triggered by automatic door  
openers, intrusion alarms, and other devices that share fre-  
quencies with police radar. In the CITY 1 mode, only X-band  
sensitivity is lowered.  
Note: The city modes have no effect on laser or VG-2 opera-  
tion.  
13  
 
To select the CITY mode, press CITY once. The detector dis-  
plays CITY. If the detector receives a weak speed/safety radar  
signal in the CITY mode, it beeps twice, then remains quiet  
unless the signal becomes very strong. If the signal strength  
increases, the detector again beeps twice.  
To select the CITY 1 mode, press CITY twice. The detector dis-  
plays CITY 1.  
To cancel the city modes, press CITY a third time. The detector  
displays HIGHWAY. The highway mode provides maximum  
alert response for open-road driving.  
DIMMING THE DISPLAY  
To dim the display, press DARK once. The detector displays  
DIM, then the display dims.  
To make the display black out, press DARK again. The detector  
displays DARK, then blacks out. The display dims when it is  
not detecting a signal, and blacks out entirely while it is receiv-  
ing a signal and for 20 seconds after the signal.  
Press DARK a third time to restore the display to full bright-  
ness.  
14  
 
SETTING THE VG-2 OPTION  
VG-2 is a system used by some law enforcement agencies to  
detect the use of radar detectors in vehicles. The VG-2 system  
detects the weak radio signals used in radar detectors. Your  
radar detector can sense a VG-2 system and shift its operating  
frequencies out of the range detected by VG-2, making your  
radar detector essentially invisible to this system.  
To turn on the VG-2 option, hold down DARK for 2 seconds.  
The detector displays VG2ON.  
Press DARK again to turn off the VG-2 option. The detector  
displays VG2OFF.  
Notes:  
Your detector does not detect speed radar when VG-2 has  
been detected.  
• If you want to use the VG-2 option, you must turn it on when  
you turn the detector on.  
RECEIVING AND IDENTIFYING  
ALERT SIGNALS  
Your detector gives different audible and visual alerts for each  
signal. In addition, the alert tone pulse rate increases with sig-  
nal strength and the detector displays a digit from 1 to 9 to indi-  
cate the signal strength (1 is weakest and 9 is strongest).  
When your detector senses instant-on radar, it sounds an  
intense, 3-second tone and displays PULSE.  
15  
 
Safety Radar Alerts  
Your radar detector detects all safety radar including the new  
Safety Warning System. This system provides advanced warn-  
ing of hazards and lets you respond appropriately to potentially  
dangerous conditions.  
Note: Not all areas have Safety Warning System transmitters.  
Your radar detector only alerts you to hazards if the area you  
are in has transmitters sending signals.  
When your radar detector encounters safety radar, it sounds a  
distinctive tone and displays the signal strength. In addition,  
your radar detector displays CAUTIONand informs you of the  
type of hazard by displaying one of 60 defined messages.  
Display  
WORK ZONE  
ROAD CLOSED DETOUR  
BRIDGE CLOSED DETOUR Bridge Closed Ahead/Follow Detour  
Road Hazard Detected  
Work Zone Ahead  
Road Closed Ahead/Follow Detour  
HIGHWAY WORK CREWS  
UTILITY WORK CREWS  
FOLLOW DETOUR  
Highway Work Crews Ahead  
Utility Work Crews Ahead  
All Traffic Follow Detour Ahead  
TRUCKS FOLLOW DETOUR All Trucks Follow Detour Ahead  
EXIT AHEAD  
All Traffic Exit Ahead  
RIGHT LANE CLOSED  
CENTER LANE CLOSED  
Right Lane Closed Ahead  
Center Lane Closed Ahead  
16  
 
Display  
Road Hazard Detected  
Left Lane Closed Ahead  
LEFT LANE CLOSED  
STANDING POLICE VEHICLE Stationary Police Vehicle Ahead  
TRAIN AT CROSSING  
LOW OVERPASS  
Train Approaching/At Crossing  
Low Overpass Ahead  
Drawbridge Up  
DRAW BRIDGE  
BRIDGE WEIGHT LIMIT  
ROCK SLIDE AREA  
SCHOOL ZONE  
Observe Bridge Weight Limit  
Rock Slide Area Ahead  
School Zone Ahead  
ROAD NARROWS  
SHARP CURVE  
Road Narrows Ahead  
Sharp Curve Ahead  
PEDEST CROSSING  
DEER CROSSING  
BLIND DEAF CHILD  
Pedestrian Crossing Ahead  
Deer/Moose Crossing  
Blind/Deaf Child Area  
STEEP GRADE LOW GEAR Steep Grade Ahead/Truck Use Low  
Gear  
ACCIDENT  
Accident Ahead  
POOR ROAD SURFACE  
SCHOOL BUS LOADING  
NO PASSING ZONE  
DANGER INTERSEC  
Poor Road Surface Ahead  
School Bus Loading/Unloading  
No Passing Zone  
Dangerous Intersection Ahead  
STANDING EMERGENCY  
VEHICLE  
Stationary Emergency Vehicle  
Ahead  
17  
 
Display  
HIGH WIND  
Road Hazard Detected  
High Wind Ahead  
SEVERE WEATHER  
HEAVY FOG  
Severe Weather Ahead  
Heavy Fog Ahead  
WATER FLOODING  
ICE ON BRIDGE  
High Water/Flooding Ahead  
Ice On Bridge Ahead  
ICE ON ROAD  
Ice On Road Ahead  
BLOWING DUST  
Blowing Dust Ahead  
BLOWING SAND  
BLOWING SNOW  
REST AREA  
Blowing Sand Ahead  
Blowing Snow White Out Ahead  
Rest Area Ahead  
REST SERVICE AHEAD  
24 HOUR FUEL SERVICE  
INSPECT STATION OPEN  
Rest Area With Service Ahead  
24 Hour Fuel Service Ahead  
Inspection Station Open  
INSPECT STATION CLOSED Inspection Station Closed  
REDUCED SPEED AREA  
SPEED LIMIT ENFORCED  
HAZARD’S MATERLS EXIT  
Reduced Speed Area Ahead  
Speed Limit Enforced  
Hazardous Materials Exit Ahead  
CONGESTD TRAFFIC DELAY Congestion Ahead/Expect Delay  
EXPECT 10 MIN DELAY  
EXPECT 20 MIN DELAY  
EXPECT 30 MIN DELAY  
Expect 10 Minute Delay  
Expect 20 Minute Delay  
Expect 30 Minute Delay  
18  
 
Display  
Road Hazard Detected  
Expect 1 Hour Delay  
EXPECT 1 HOUR DELAY  
TRAFFIC ALERT TUNE AM  
RADIO  
Traffic Alert/Tune AM Radio  
PAY TOLL  
Pay Toll Ahead  
TRUCKS EXIT RIGHT  
TRUCKS EXIT LEFT  
EMERGENCY VEHICLE  
POLICE PURSUIT  
OVERSIZE VEHICLE  
SLOW MOVING VEHICLE  
CAUTION  
Trucks Exit Right  
Trucks Exit Left  
Emergency Vehicle in Transit  
Police in Pursuit  
Oversize Vehicle in Transit  
Slow Moving Vehicle  
General Warning For An Unspecified  
Hazard  
Laser Audio/Visual Alerts  
When your radar detector detects a laser signal from ahead or  
behind, the laser audio sounds and the radar detector displays  
LASERfor as long as the signal is present (for a minimum of 3  
seconds).  
Any laser alert, regardless of duration, requires immediate  
action! If you are the targeted vehicle, a laser gun can often  
determine your speed within seconds after you receive an  
alert. However, if you are traveling near or behind the targeted  
vehicle and receive an alert, you should have time to respond.  
19  
 
USING STAY ALERT  
Stay Alert helps you test your alertness behind the wheel by  
sounding beeps and asking if you are alert.  
Warning: Stay Alert is not intended as a substitute for ade-  
quate rest. You should not operate a motor vehicle if you are  
drowsy. During extended periods of vehicle operation, you  
should take frequent breaks. Improper reliance on the Stay  
Alert feature might result in vehicle damage, personal injury, or  
death. Never operate a vehicle if you are drowsy.  
1. Hold down CITY for 2 seconds until the detector displays RU  
ALERT, then rings.  
2. When the detector rings, press DARK, CITY, or MUTE within  
3–5 seconds.  
If you press DARK, CITY, or MUTE within 3–5 seconds, the  
detector rings again every 30–60 seconds.  
If you do not press a button within 3–5 seconds, an alarm  
sounds and the detector displays GET REST.  
3. To turn off Stay Alert, turn off the detector.  
20  
 
TROUBLESHOOTING  
If you have problems operating your radar/laser detector, the  
suggestions in this section might help. If you cannot solve the  
problem after trying these suggestions, take your detector to  
your local RadioShack store for assistance.  
If the detector does not turn on:  
• Be sure all power connections are secure.  
• Check the fuse that controls power to the cigarette-lighter  
socket. See your vehicle’s owner’s manual.  
• Check the fuse in the cigarette-lighter plug. See “Replacing  
the Fuse” on Page 23.  
• The cigarette-lighter socket might be dirty. Clean it to give a  
good, clean connection.  
Caution: Do not place any metal object other than the ciga-  
rette lighter or a cigarette-lighter plug in the cigarette-lighter  
socket. Doing so could blow a fuse in your vehicle or cause  
the metal object to become very hot.  
If the detector gives a false alert when the vehicle hits  
bumps in the road:  
• Check the power connections.  
21  
 
If the detector gives a false alert when you use accesso-  
ries such as power windows, motorized mirrors, brakes,  
and so on:  
• Check the vehicle’s electrical system, including the main  
battery cable and alternator connections.  
• Install a filter capacitor (1,000 µf, 35 volts, such as Cat. No.  
272-1032) on the back of the cigarette-lighter socket, across  
the power connections.  
If the detector performs the power on self-test (see “Turn-  
ing the Detector On and Off” on Page 12), but does not  
respond to radar signals when you see a police car:  
• A police car might not be equipped with radar, or might be  
using instant-on radar and not have the radar gun triggered  
(see the separate booklet Questions and Answers About  
Vehicle Speed Detection).  
• Police might be using VASCAR-type speed detection (see  
the separate booklet Questions and Answers About Vehicle  
Speed Detection).  
If the detector has poor laser detection range:  
• Be sure the laser detection lenses are not blocked.  
• Use lens-cleaning solution to clean the laser detection  
lenses and the windshield.  
22  
 
REPLACING THE FUSE  
If the detector stops operating, check the fuse in the DC power  
cord’s cigarette-lighter plug. If it has blown, follow these steps  
1
to replace it with a 2-Amp, 11/4 × /4 mm, fast-acting fuse (Cat.  
No. 270-1007).  
Caution: Using a fuse that does not meet these ratings or  
defeating the fuse protection can damage your detector or the  
vehicle’s electrical system.  
1. Carefully unscrew the tip of the cigarette-lighter plug.  
2. Remove the tip from the cigarette-lighter plug, then remove  
the old fuse.  
Note: Take care not to lose the spring inside the holder or  
the metal ring.  
3. Replace the fuse.  
4. Press the cigarette-lighter plug’s tip down into the body,  
then screw it back in.  
Caution: Be sure you press the cigarette-lighter plug’s tip  
down before screwing it in, or you might damage the plug.  
23  
 
Limited One-Year Warranty  
This product is warranted by RadioShack against manufacturing defects in material and  
workmanship under normal use for one (1) year from the date of purchase from  
RadioShack company-owned stores and authorized RadioShack franchisees and deal-  
ers. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED HEREIN, RadioShack MAKES NO EXPRESS WARRAN-  
TIES AND ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING THOSE OF MERCHANTABILITY  
AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE LIMITED IN DURATION TO THE  
DURATION OF THE WRITTEN LIMITED WARRANTIES CONTAINED HEREIN. EXCEPT  
AS PROVIDED HEREIN, RadioShack SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBIL-  
ITY TO CUSTOMER OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY WITH RESPECT TO ANY  
LIABILITY, LOSS OR DAMAGE CAUSED DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY BY USE OR PER-  
FORMANCE OF THE PRODUCT OR ARISING OUT OF ANY BREACH OF THIS WAR-  
RANTY, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY DAMAGES RESULTING FROM  
INCONVENIENCE, LOSS OF TIME, DATA, PROPERTY, REVENUE, OR PROFIT OR  
ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF  
RadioShack HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.  
Some states do not allow the limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts or the ex-  
clusion of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitations or exclusions  
may not apply to you.  
In the event of a product defect during the warranty period, take the product and the  
RadioShack sales receipt as proof of purchase date to any RadioShack store.  
RadioShack will, at its option, unless otherwise provided by law: (a) correct the defect by  
product repair without charge for parts and labor; (b) replace the product with one of the  
same or similar design; or (c) refund the purchase price. All replaced parts and products,  
and products on which a refund is made, become the property of RadioShack. New or re-  
conditioned parts and products may be used in the performance of warranty service. Re-  
paired or replaced parts and products are warranted for the remainder of the original  
warranty period. You will be charged for repair or replacement of the product made after  
the expiration of the warranty period.  
This warranty does not cover: (a) damage or failure caused by or attributable to acts of  
God, abuse, accident, misuse, improper or abnormal usage, failure to follow instructions,  
improper installation or maintenance, alteration, lightning or other incidence of excess  
voltage or current; (b) any repairs other than those provided by a RadioShack Authorized  
Service Facility; (c) consumables such as fuses or batteries; (d) cosmetic damage; (e)  
transportation, shipping or insurance costs; or (f) costs of product removal, installation,  
set-up service adjustment or reinstallation.  
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which  
vary from state to state.  
RadioShack Customer Relations, Dept. W, 100 Throckmorton St., Suite 600,  
Fort Worth, TX 76102  
We Service What We Sell  
3/97  
RadioShack  
A Division of Tandy Corporation  
Fort Worth, Texas 76102  
7/97  
Printed in the U.S.A.  
 

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